Improved method of working steel and iron



H. J. DICKERSON.

Refining Ironv and Ste-el.

No. 84,480. Patented Dec. l', -1868.,

N. PETERS, Pnmvmhugmph", washingnm. D c.

. surfaces.

'HENRY JAMES DICKERSON, or APPLETQN, WISCONSIN.

Lam Patent No. 84,480, dated December 1, 1868. i

IMPROVBD- NIETHOD OF WORKING- STEEL AND IRN.

The Schedule referred to in these Lettera Patent and making part of the same.

To all it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY J AMES DICKERsoN, of the city of Appleton, in the county of Outagamie, and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new, and useful,

and improved Method of Working Steel and similar' substances; and I do declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

I My method'is the application "of a compound constituted by incorporating the following ingredients, substantially in or about the proportions hereinafter named, applied to the `steel or similar substances, as an assistant, while working it to the desired form.

The ingredients of the compound are, one and ouehalf pound (1% lb.) borax; four ounces (4 oz.) ne table-salt; four ounces (4 oz.) copperas, six ounces (6 oz.) sal-ammoniac; four ounces (4 oz.) prussiate of potash; one ounce (l oz.) rosin; one-half pint pt.) rain-water.

Pulverize the ingredients nel'y, and mix all with the water ina shallow pan, and place `pver a slowfire. When the compound has become dry, pulverize again, and use the same as borax, except in less quantity.

For the purpose' of refining and improving the quality of the steel and similar substances, I'heat to a certain degree, and immerse in a compound constituted by incorporating the following ingredients, substantially in or about the proportions hereinafter named: One and one-half pound (le lb.) prussiate of potash; one and one-half pound (1% lb.) tallow; .two pounds (2 lbs.) rosin; one pound (1lb.) sal-ammoniacg and, one-fourth pound (flb.) bone-dust or ne horsehoof.

In order to secure the requisite hardness, I heat to a certain degree, and immerse in a compound constituted by incorporating the following ingredients, substantially in or about. the proportions hereinafter named: One-half barrel bbl.) rain-water; two pounds (2 lbs.) saltpetre; two pounds (2 lbs.) alum; two pounds (2 lbs.) sulphate of iron; two pounds (2 lbs.) oXalic acid; and, two pounds (2 lbs;) prussiate of potash. i The articles 'of steel, orof similar substances, are then placed in a receptacle withone or more enclosing- The space or spaces betweenv said surfaces may be empty, or contain an assisting compound,

Connected with the interior is one vor more thery'mometers, or other registering-instruments, for the purpose of determining, by the aid of heat, when the articles have' reached the condition desired.

The receptacle (see drawing, which is included in land forms a par-tof these specifications) may be made of any suitable material, and of any appropriate form and size adapted to accomplish the purposes required by the method.

The figure presents a cross-section 4view through the centre of an elliptical vase, so as to show the rela tion of its arrangement to thel objectsof this method.

A A are the vase and cover, within which are placed the thermometer B B, or other registering-instrument, and articles to be improved, with such compounds as may be required.

'B ABB is the thermometeror other registering-instrument, which may rest in or on the bottom of the vase at (l, or be held near the top of the vase at el, or.

the register, and a cap permitting the withdrawal of the registering-instrument at any time desired.

Letters a a a show spaces between the surfaces of the cover' enclosing the receptacle, which may be lled with an assisting compound, aiecting the interior, if

desired, through perforations or otherwise.

ment.

Having described my method, I will proceed to'inform those skilled in the art how to use it snccessfully.

Select a suitable piece of steel (or similar substance, as alloys, Ste.) for the purpose designed. I place it in the re until quite hot; theri, taking it out of the ire, I coat it with some of the compound irst mentioned, and return it to thefirev till of a much higher heat than customary, without injuryto the steel, &c. Again coating it, work to the desired form, 8m. Then reheat to the usual degree for working cast-steel, and place it in the compound second mentioned above. Allow it to cool, which renes and improves the quality of the substances. `It is then evenly and carefullyv rcheated to a dark red, and thrust into the third abovedescribed compound, which produces a higher degree of refinement, and also a higher degree of hardness, Y

which is, with aidof heat, reduced with 'greaterV accu racy than by any other known method to the point of softness, elasticity, and refinement required, by the use of the receptacle-thermometer or heat-registering instrument, shown in the drawings above described. The articles are then ready for polishing or use.

The great difficulty of securing a uniformity of pro I duction, and the renement and accuracy of quality demanded in many instruments and articles 'of steel and similar substances, makes such an attainment. as is reached by this method a matter of great importance. It is thought that the time saved in extensive manufacture, by improving so many articles at once,

is not a small consideration in its favor; while the scientific character, perfection, and ease 4with which this method may be appliedl to -one Vof thev most irnportant'branches of industry, it is thought, -will bring it into general use and commendation.

Letters c e e represent articles in process of improve- I lar substances, by the application of the third cornpound, in the manner, and for the purpose, and slib# stantially as described.

4. The' accurate attainment of the desired quality in many articles at once, by the use of the receptacle and Ainstruments above described, in the manner and substantially as set forth.

C HENRY JAMES DICKERSON, Witnesses J OHN E. PORTER, HARRJET A. DICKERSON. 

